Can a VAN with an additional seat be inspected?
Not only did the VAN fail the vehicle inspection, it was also fined when discovered by the traffic police when it was added to the rear seats.
Mr. Bui The Yen (Hoa Binh) asked: "My family's VAN has an additional row of rear seats. When going for vehicle inspection, the rear seats were folded down but the vehicle inspection still failed. Why?"
Regarding this issue, Mr. Tran Quoc Hoan - Deputy Director of Inspection Center 29 - 03V - said that currently, the situation of many VAN owners self-converting and installing additional rear seats is very common. From a 2-seat car, it is transformed into a 4 - 5-seat car.
When going for vehicle inspection, many people often "dodge" it by lowering the seat to pass the inspection.
Also according to Mr. Hoan, the National Standard "Road vehicles - automobiles - classified by purpose of use" revised 2:2010 TCVN 7271:2003, VAN trucks have the following characteristics: The cargo compartment is closed and monolithic with the passenger compartment; There is a partition and/or fixed barrier structure to separate the cargo compartment and the passenger compartment; in the cargo compartment area, there are no structures or connections to install seats; seat belts; air conditioning control mechanism; ashtrays; cup holders, etc.
Circular 43/2023 amends and supplements the provisions of Circular 85/2014 regulating the conversion of motor vehicles, which stipulates: Do not convert other types of vehicles into passenger vehicles and vice versa, except in the case of converting a passenger vehicle from 16 seats down to a VAN truck.
Installing additional seats will change the structure and layout of the vehicle's cockpit, and pose a potential safety risk by affecting the driver's ability to operate and observe.
Therefore, this type of vehicle is not allowed to install additional rear seats. If discovered, you will be fined.
Also according to Lawyer Dinh Thi Chuc - Hanoi Bar Association, according to Article 55 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law, vehicle owners are not allowed to change the structure, assembly, or system of the vehicle that is not in accordance with the manufacturer's design or the renovation design approved by the competent authority. Decree 100/2019 also stipulates: Fines from 6 to 8 million VND for individuals, from 12 to 16 million VND for organizations that are owners of cars, tractors, specialized motorbikes, and similar vehicles that convert other cars into passenger cars.
